The Huapai community will be the first to benefit from a series of safety improvements the NZ Transport Agency is carrying out on SH16.
Several improvements will be made to the Trigg Road, State Highway 16 intersection in Huapai starting this week.
The work which will include extending the 60km an hour speed limit by an extra 100 metres, installing a new right hand turning bay and relocating a power pole, is expected to take around a month to complete.
There have been three serious injury crashes at the intersection in the past five years.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Highway Manager Brett Gliddon says the Agency is committed to reducing avoidable deaths and injuries on our roads by creating a safer and more forgiving transport system which can accommodate human errors.
“All drivers can make mistakes but by removing obstacles, such as power poles, providing safe turning opportunities and reducing speeds we can help stop common mistakes becoming fatal crashes.”
“These improvements are part of a range of short term projects to provide immediate safety benefits for those using SH16, while a longer term project will prioritise improvements to the wider transport network in the North West of Auckland.”
“The Transport Agency acknowledges the impact that significant population growth is having on transport networks in this area and is working alongside Auckland Transport and Auckland Council to help shape future transport solutions, but we also want to get on with making short term improvements where we can.”
The North West will be looked at in detail as part of the Transport for Future Growth Areas project. Public input is currently being sought on a range of options to help plan for future housing and business areas.
As part of the Transport Agency’s short term safety focus, further improvements will also be made at other locations on SH16 later this year including Kahikatea Flat Road, Pipitiwai to Mt Rex Road, intersection widening at Joyce Adams Place intersection and guardrail installation at Kiwitahi Road.
